Cheap Eats in Las Vegas

The economy has been rolling snake eyes for Las Vegas recently. But whats bad for Sin City is good for the rest of us: The downturn in visitor numbers and the falloff in gambling revenues have meant a raft of bargains for would-be visitors. Not only are hotel rooms 30% less expensive, on average, than they were last year, but many of the citys top restaurants are quietly discounting. Theyve formed a partnership with Tix4Tonight, the half-price theater booths that line the Strip, allowing restaurants to sell coupons good for either 50% off entrées or, in some cases, 35% off the full meal including drinks.

How it works:

You simply pay a small fee to the theater booth (usually $2 to $3 per person), they make a reservation for you at the time and place of your choice, and then off you go
to have a lovely meal. At the end of your dinner, the check includes the discount and only you and the waiter know what a deal you've gotten.

On your next Vegas trip, take advantage of these discounts at some of the following
restaurants.

Bally's Steak House

It doesn't get more traditional than this old-time Vegas fave, with its gentleman's club decor and tuxedoed waitstaff. The steaks are served the old-fashioned way: carefully aged, grilled to your specifications, and paired with creamed spinach, potatoes au gratin, or whatever butter-doused vegetable you crave. Thanks to the discounts, these beautiful cuts of meat are going for 50% off.

Try one of Bally's Steak House's traditional dishes at home with its recipe for Jumbo Lump Crab Cake.

Enoteca San Marco

Created by celebrity chef Mario Batali, in collaboration with Joseph Bastianich (son of Lidia
Bastianich), Enoteca San Marco is an upgrade of the Italian enoteca, or wine bar, offering plates of fine cured meats and artisanal cheeses plus rustic pastas, thin-crusted pizzas, and such regional delights as Ligurian fish stew. With the discount, it's difficult to spend more than $10 on an entrée.

Make Enoteca San Marco's Pancetta Pizza with your family this weekend.

Lotus of Siam

A longtime favorite of Las Vegas's important chefs, this off-Strip Thai eatery has been written up in every foodie publication around. Here the curries have a deep, citrusy tang, the beef comes in jerky form, and the baby corn has flavor. Owner Bill Chutima heads to Thailand every few months to bring back ingredients. But if he's there when you visit, let him order for you: He'll know what's best on the menu that night.

Raku

Robata cooking — food that's prepared in an oven using cork charcoal imported from Japan — is the specialty at this tiny, off-Strip eatery. This is Japanese food as you've never tasted it before: tofu made just 20 minutes before it hits your plate, horizontal slices of corn with the cob replaced by creamy mashed potatoes, beef skewers coated in a smoky teriyaki glaze and studded with dots of wasabi.

RM Seafood

At Rick Moonen's casual fish restaurant and raw bar, everything is remarkably fresh  and ethically produced. Moonen is an advocate of sustainable fishing and farming, so you can dine here with a clean conscience. Among the restaurant's many specialties are a celebrated catfish sloppy joe and a seafood gumbo, which you can enjoy with a 33% discount.